I'm writing to urge the Jersey City Board of Education to be transparent, fair and accountable in their selection of a new board member to replace the retired Sue Mack.

As a public entity, the Board of Education is accountable to the people of Jersey City and to the laws of this state including the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). As such, the people must have a voice in the selection of the replacement board member. And if there is any selection process, the OPMA mandates that it be designed and conducted openly and with transparency in the presence of the public.

Considering the above, the board must select Lorenzo Richardson as the new board member. He was the people's choice with 4,511 votes in the election just 4 months ago – less than 200 votes from the 3rd place winner.

His professional background as an accountant as well as his years of educational advocacy both here and nationwide make him the top contender in any fair selection process.

I urge the JC Board of Education to be fair, transparent and select the people's choice to appoint Lorenzo Richardson to the open board seat.